OUR HISTORY

Rangihoua Heritage Park

Rangihoua Heritage Park—Marsden Cross—holds a special place in Aotearoa’s, history, and in the history of the spread of the Gospel, and was the place where the Gospel light first entered New Zealand.
Desiring Marsden to come to New Zealand to share his farming knowledge, and the Gospel, the Ngapuhi chief, Ruatara, made it possible for Marsden to establish a mission at this location. Ruatara’s work to prepare the way for Marsden and his mission, who became known as the apostle to New Zealand, earned Ruatara the title, Te Aro Mo Te Rongopai, the Gateway for the Gospel.
Marsden’s ship, the Active, arrived in the Bay of Islands in December 1814. Ruatara made the necessary preparations for the first service on New Zealand soil, which was held on Sunday the December 25th, Christmas day.
Half an acre of land was fenced. In the centre was a pulpit and a reading desk. Seats were made from the bottoms of old canoes for the Europeans. At 10 o’clock, Marsden began the service to both Maori and Pakeha with psalm 100. He then preached on the text, ‘Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy.’
Every year, on the Monday following Christmas day, St James holds an outdoor Christmas service at Marsden Cross.

The Move to Kerikeri

The first Church Missionary Society missionaries settled at Rangihoua. However, in 1819, after a difficult few years, and after Ruatara’s death, they moved to Kerikeri and came under the protection of Hongi Hika and the people of Kororipo Pa.
The first church was built in 1823 and commissioned in 1824. The present St James is the third church built here, and was opened in 1878. An extension was added in 1963. The church is dedicated to St James the Great of Compostela, whose symbol is the scallop shell, and who is associated with the Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage in Spain.
Interestingly, Santiago de Compostela means James of the Field of Stars. A medieval legend holds it that the pilgrims, in order to find their way to St James’ tomb in Galicia, followed the stars of the milky way to get there.
St James is part of the historical precinct of Kerikeri; the Stone Store, Kororipo Pa, Te Ahurea, and Kemp House. The church is open during the day, you are very welcome to come and have a look!
A book entitled Chapel to Church is available in the Church porch for a small cost, and provides more details into the history of St James, Kerikeri.

OUR BUILDINGS

The present St James church was opened in December, 1878, having been built by William Cook and Son from Waimate North. It replaced a building that had been on the same site since 1829. The church was extended by five metres in 1963. St James church is named after St. James the Great of Compostella. The church is built of kauri and sits on puriri piles, some of which have been replaced. The church roof was replaced in 2017. But it is the interior of the church that holds most attraction for visitors.

The top three stained glass windows in the sanctuary (eastern end) were donated by William Hawkins. (He also donated an acre of land on which the vicarage stands, at 128 Kerikeri Rd.) The lower windows, designed by Cecilia Russell, were donated by Jenny Ward.

The windows at the other, west, end of the church were designed by B Bennet and donated by J and M Kennedy. Other interesting windows include the World War 2 commemorative window, next to the oak pulpit. Beside it is a plaque in memory of Bill Warbrick which details his interesting war experiences, including working on the Bridge on the River Qwai.

The organ in front of the windows was donated by Henry Driver in 1985.  The organ has recently been refurbished. Music is a strong part of worship at St James. The congregation is blessed to have five organists and a choirmaster, John Jackets, who assembles a choir for services at Easter, Christmas and the patronal festival.

Because of its age, the church constantly requires upkeep and this costs upward of $250 a day!  Visitors’ contribution by way of the donations box in the entrance foyer is appreciated.

DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS

Donations can be made directly in the St James bank account 06-0350-0007843-29 or by selecting the following link: St James Donations link

If you would like to help St James continue to thrive for future generations you may wish to consider making a bequest.  Making a bequest is a good way of giving, especially if at present you feel that you are not able to give as much as you would like to.